Brain tuberculoma (Mycobacterium africanum): high index of suspicion helps in avoiding biopsy/surgery

Neurol Sci. 2012 Apr;33(2):363-5. doi: 10.1007/s10072-011-0742-x. Epub 2011 Aug 27.

Abstract

Partial seizures can be due to a growing cerebral lesion, which may be tumoral or inflammatory/infectious in nature. The differential diagnosis is obviously important; increasing immigration to Europe from Africa is leading to an increase of infectious disease involving also the central nervous system. The authors report imaging the a case of a brain tuberculoma due to Mycobacterium africanum mimicking brain tumor, in which diagnosis was possible by inoculum in guinea-pig of material obtained by mediastinal biopsy of enlarged lymph nodes. Specific treatment led to marked reduction in the size of the brain lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium Infections / complications*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / drug therapy
  • Tuberculoma, Intracranial / etiology*

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents